Reference Fuels

Why is in news? Launch of Reference Fuels fosters vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat: Petroleum Minister Hardeep S Puri

“The Launch of Reference Fuels produced by Indian Oil’s Paradip & Panipat Refineries, utilizing the intellectual talent available at Indian Oil’s Research & Development Centre, is a dynamic achievement”, said Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs.

He was speaking at the historic occasion marking the launch of ‘Reference Gasoline and Diesel Fuels’ produced by Indian Oil for the first time in India.

This is the first time that India is venturing into the production of Reference Gasoline and Diesel Fuels.

The home-grown development of these products in-line with international benchmarks testifies to the brilliance and relentless hard work of Indian Oil.

This achievement not only reduces India’s dependence on imports but also catapults India’s energy industry to the select global players armed with exclusive competencies.

The Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister spoke about the four-pronged energy security strategy adopted by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.

He saidthat the strategy guided by Prime Minister’s vision of transforming India into an ‘energy-independent’ nation by 2047, includes, (i) Diversification of energy supplies (ii) Increasing India’s exploration and Production footprint (iii) Alternate energy sources and meeting energy transition through Gas based economy and (iv) Green Hydrogen and EVs.

The efforts of Oil Companies that are making major strides toward fulfilling national goals and commitments under the guidance of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.

The Ministry’s efforts in the direction of clean energy especially Bio-fuels section, transition to BS-VI fuels and introduction of EV charging stations, CBG, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Ethanol blending, and Hydrogen fuels are to be mentioned.

About:

Indian Oil has successfully commenced the production of Reference Gasoline and Diesel Fuels for the first time in India.

These fuels are used for calibration and testing of vehicle by Automobile manufacturers and testing agencies like ICAT (International Centre for Automotive Technology) and ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India).

The indigenous development of this product is in-line with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision for “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

Indian Oil’s teams of Refineries and R&D have strived hard to achieve this feat in the shortest possible time.

To meet the International standards, these products had passed through three layer of certification viz., Refinery lab, IOCL R&D Centre and an internationally reputed third party lab

India is dependent on imports to cater to the demand for this specialized fuel.

These indigenously developed products will lead to import substitution at better price and minimum lead time for the Vehicle manufacturers.

Reference fuels (Gasoline and Diesel) are premium high-value products, used for calibration and testing of vehicles by Auto OEMs and organizations involved in testing and certification in the automotive field.

Specification requirements of Reference Fuels are more stringent than commercial gasoline and diesel. The demand of Reference Fuels in India is currently met by importing from other countries.

The indigenously developed product by Indian Oil meets Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) specifications, substitutes imports, and is available at better price with reduced lead time.

Indian Oil Corporation Limited has established facilities for production of Reference Gasoline Fuels (E-5, E-10 and E-20) at its Paradip Refinery and Reference Diesel Fuel (B-7) at its Panipat Refinery.